Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they reconcile their principle of sustaining the cohesion of communities with programmes based on demolition and dispersal; and what assessment they have made of the social implications of such programmes.

Baroness Andrews: The housing market renewal programme is not based on demolition and dispersal. The Government do not have plans to demolish 400,000 homes as often misquoted. The nine market renewal Pathfinders plan to fund the demolition of 10,000 homes by March 2006, compared with refurbishing 20,000 homes and building 3,000 new ones.
	The programme is based on giving people an option to stay in an area when their circumstances change, by providing more choice of good quality housing through a mix of refurbishment, demolition and new build. The Pathfinders are expected to ensure replacement housing enables anyone affected by demolition to stay nearby.
	Each Pathfinder is developing programmes for the period up to 2008 and as part of that they are expected to demonstrate how they are engaging communities and ensuring that residents have a role. These proposals will be scrutinised by the Audit Commission. For example, in Liverpool, the number of demolitions proposed in the Anfield area was increased in response to community demand, and 72 per cent of residents in the "Welsh Streets" area supported the need for radical change, including demolition.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much public money has been designated for housing market renewal in the Midlands and the north of England in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and, in total, for the next 15 years; and how much, as a percentage and in real terms, will be used for demolition, for renovation or for renewal in the Pathfinder areas.

Baroness Andrews: Over £1.2 billion has been allocated to the housing market renewal fund to March 2008.
	The table below sets out the budgets for the housing market renewal fund by financial year to March 2008.
	Funding for future years will be agreed in SR06 and subsequent spending reviews.
	Information on the detailed funding breakdown by intervention type is not collected centrally. However, funding allocated to March 2006 is expected to deliver around 10,000 demolitions, along with over 20,000 renovations across the programme.
	
		
			 Year 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 
			 Amount £150 million £290 million £335 million £450 million

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which are the nine areas targeted for the Pathfinder programme and what are the names of the projects in each area; how many properties in each area are currently owned by owner occupiers, local authorities, housing associations and private landlords; and how many of the affected properties are earmarked for demolition or renovation.

Baroness Andrews: The nine market renewal Pathfinders cover sub-regional housing markets that straddle parts of two or more local authority areas. The nine areas are:
	Birmingham and Sandwell, known as Urban Living;
	East Lancashire (Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale), known as Elevate East Lancashire;
	Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, known as Gateway;
	Manchester and Salford;
	Merseyside (Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral), known as NewHeartlands;
	Newcastle and Gateshead, known as Bridging NewcastleGateshead;
	North Staffordshire (Stoke, east Newcastle-under-Lyme and east Biddulph), known as Renew North Staffordshire;
	Oldham and Rochdale, known as Partners in Action;
	South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham), known as Transform South Yorkshire.
	The table below shows details from the 2001 census of the number of households by tenure in each Pathfinder intervention area. In addition it shows the number of vacancies in each area.
	
		
			 Pathfinder No of Households Owner Occupied Local Authority Housing Association Private Landlord *Vacant Properties 
			 Birmingham Sandwell 57,160 27,837 12,918 7,774 8,631 3,354 
			 East Lancashire 81,754 51,795 8,890 7,175 12,894 8,009 
			 Hull and East Riding 103,078 53,600 28,965 5,462 15,049 7,203 
			 Manchester Salford 102,085 36,750 31,953 12,250 21,132 13,773 
			 Merseyside 109,647 45,723 18,640 23,903 21,381 8,583 
			 Newcastle Gateshead 68,716 27,418 27,074 5,291 8,933 5,261 
			 North Staffordshire 64,100 34,101 16,281 5,127 8,589 3,799 
			 Oldham Rochdale 72,593 38,565 20,345 5,462 8,221 4,494 
			 South Yorkshire 125,132 60,275 47,640 6,237 10,980 6,288 
		
	
	* The 2001 census does not detail the tenure type of vacant properties, so these have been included separately. Updates of this information will be provided by Pathfinders when submitting their scheme updates later this year.
	Funding has been allocated to Pathfinders to March 2006. It is expected that this funding will be used for around 10,000 demolitions, along with over 20,000 renovations across the programme.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Where they have set out the thinking behind their Pathfinder housing market renewal project.

Baroness Andrews: The thinking behind the housing market renewal Pathfinder programme has been set out in the following documents:
	Memorandum from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee, 2002 www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmtlgr/240/240m14.htm.
	The Government's Response to the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee's Sixth Report on Empty Homes, Cm 5514, The Stationery Office, 2002, ISBN 0–10–155142–8 www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm–housing/documents/downloadable/odpm–house–028906.pdf.
	Sustainable communities: building for the future, pages 24–29, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2003 www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm–communities/documents/page/odpm–comm–022184–05.hcspP359–39856.
	Sustainable Communities: Homes for All, pages 48–52, Cm 6424, The Stationery Office, 2005, ISBN 0–10–164242–3 www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm–about/documents/page/odpm–about–034295–24.hcspP913–111785.
	ODPM: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee, Empty Homes and Low Demand Pathfinders, Written Evidence, Ev1–Ev7, HC 295–II, The Stationery Office, 2005, ISBN 0215 02195 9www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmodpm/295/295we02.htm.
	Market renewal Pathfinders: invitation to submit a scheme update, ODPM, 2005www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm–communities/documents/downloadable/odpm–comm–035675.pdf.
	Additional information on market renewal Pathfinders is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm–communities/documents/divisionhomepage/037871.hcsp.
	The Government will be responding to the ODPM Select Committee's eighth report on empty homes and low demand Pathfinders shortly.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average package of financial compensation given to people whose homes have been compulsorily acquired as part of the Pathfinder programme; and what is the commensurate price of an average house available for acquisition in the north-west of England.

Baroness Andrews: Information about compensation payments made for compulsory purchase of land is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The level of compensation payable in an individual case is a matter for negotiation between the acquiring authority and the land owner.
	Compensation for residential home owners is generally payable under three heads: the open market value of the property disregarding the effect of the scheme underlying the compulsory acquisition; disturbance costs in respect of the losses sustained as a direct consequence of having to move out of the property; and a home-loss payment payable in recognition of the distress and discomfort of being compelled to move, based on 10 per cent of the open market value of the land subject to a minimum payment of £3,400 and a maximum payment of £34,000 (these thresholds are currently the subject of an annual review).
	The Government do not categorise any particular type of house as average and do not collect information on asking price of property for sale. The median price of residential property actually purchased in the north-west of England in the final quarter of 2004, which is the latest period for which finalised Land Registry data are available, was £114,000.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many residents and tenants' groups and non-governmental organisations have expressed opposition to the Pathfinder programme; what are those groups and organisations; and on what grounds the Ancient Monuments Society, English Heritage, the Victorian Society, the Council for British Archaeology, the Heritage Trust for the Northwest, Save Britain's Heritage and the Prince's Trust opposed Pathfinder projects.

Baroness Andrews: To date, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received five ministerial letters from residents via their MP and one from a non-governmental body, the Merseyside Civic Trust, opposing the housing market renewal programme. In other correspondence we have received approximately 25 letters and e-mails voicing similar opposition or concerns. One of these letters was from the Spital Hill Local Voice group based in Sheffield.
	The Ancient Monuments Society, the Victorian Society, the Council for British Archaeology, the Heritage Trust for the Northwest and the Prince's Trust have not expressed a formal view to the Government on the HMR programme. Save Britain's Heritage gave evidence in the recent Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Select Committee on Empty Homes and Low Demand Pathfinders, which can be found at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmodpm/295/295we02.htm. The Government will be responding to this report shortly.
	English Heritage has recently produced a policy position statement on housing market renewal in which it recommended that Pathfinders should undertake an assessment of the historic environment to help to inform the regeneration of their areas. The Government agree with this. English Heritage accepts that a reduction of the housing stock is necessary and that some demolition is inevitable.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What account they have taken of the structural survey conducted by Professor Brian Clancy in which he assessed the cost of renovating properties he examined in a Pathfinder's area.

Baroness Andrews: None. This is a matter for the local authority and Pathfinder concerned.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether decisions to proceed with the demolition of properties were arrived at on the basis of a drive-by survey or some other criteria; and whether they intend to publish, under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Regulations, the basis on which individual streets and individual homes have been listed for compulsory acquisition and demolition.

Baroness Andrews: Decisions about which property to compulsorily purchase, demolish, refurbish or leave are not taken by government, unless they are "called in" via the planning process. They are instead the responsibility of the local authority concerned as the statutory body, informed by the Pathfinder strategy.
	Plans for different types of intervention, including decisions to proceed with demolition of properties, are not taken on the basis of simple drive-by surveys. They are informed by various factors, including neighbourhood renewal assessment (or other similar comprehensive assessment), community views, analyses of supply and demand, housing stock condition, demographics and wider strategies (at local authority, sub-regional and regional level) for the economic and social future of the places covered by Pathfinders.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not publish as a matter of course information regarding particular houses and streets affected by Pathfinders. Individual Pathfinders are expected to do so (for instance, in the form of draft area development frameworks) to inform consultation and community involvement and as part of the normal local authority decision taking and statutory planning process where relevant.

Housing

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What grounds constitute the designation of properties within Pathfinder areas as unfit; and whether residents are given the opportunity to make good repairs before demolition is required.

Baroness Andrews: A dwelling is statutorily unfit if, in the opinion of the local housing authority, it fails under the criteria set out in Section 604 of the Housing Act 1985 and by reason of that failure is not reasonably suitable for occupation. The authority has a duty to take the most satisfactory course of action in relation to unfit dwellings. The provisions in the Housing Act 1985 enable authorities to acquire statutorily unfit property either through agreement or by compulsory purchase.

London Boroughs: Private Residential Developments

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Andrews on 7 June (WA 55), whether they will issue guidance encouraging local authorities to require planning gain as a condition of planning approval for properties for market sale to be built on sites acquired by English Partnerships under its London-wide initiative.

Baroness Andrews: Development undertaken on London-wide initiative sites will be subject to the normal planning regime. Current policy on the application of planning obligations as set out in DoE Circular 1/97 makes no distinction between public and private sector developers. This is because the same planning requirements for the mitigation of impacts relate to all types of development.

London Boroughs: Private Residential Developments

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Andrews on 7 June (WA 55), how many of the 2,000 affordable homes for sale to key workers and first time buyers under the London-wide initiative will be in (a) conventional shared ownership; and (b) other forms of low cost home ownership.

Baroness Andrews: Work is continuing between English Partnerships and its development partners and the relevant local authorities on the total number and mix of units on each site to be developed under the London-wide initiative. The London-wide homes will be shared equity homes for eligible groups, such as key workers and first-time buyers.
	In addition, a wider range of affordable homes giving a choice of tenures will be provided under planning obligations agreed with the relevant local authorities.

English Partnerships

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many social rented housing units they expect to be built on the 96 surplus National Health Service sites recently made available by English Partnerships for the First Time Buyers Initiative.

Baroness Andrews: The first tranche of 67 surplus hospital sites transferred from the Department of Health to English Partnerships on 6 April 2005. Other sites will transfer to English Partnerships. The land will be used to help to deliver growth and regeneration including the provision of more affordable homes. English Partnerships is now working up future plans for the sites.
	Residential housing development will take place where sites are assessed as suitable. The provision of mixed-tenure housing development will tackle the problem of housing shortages and the demand for affordable homes for key workers and first-time buyers. Where it is appropriate for residential development to take place on a site, regional strategies and local development plans should include provision for social rented housing. The amount of social rented housing will be a matter for discussion with the relevant local planning authority taking account of local needs.

English Partnerships

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the English Partnerships register of surplus public sector land.

Baroness Andrews: English Partnerships published its first quarterly report on the register of surplus public sector land in March 2005. A copy of the report was placed in the Library of the House. An updated report on the register is expected to be published in June 2005. Following publication the report will be available on English Partnership's website.

Firelink

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to conclude the procurement of Firelink, the secure national radio system for the fire service.

Baroness Andrews: The date of contract award depends upon the outcome of the evaluation of the bids from potential suppliers and will reflect the suppliers' proposals. It is important that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister secures a contract that meets the needs of the fire and rescue services and provides value for money for the taxpayer. Contract award is expected to be in the autumn.

Firelink

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it is still their view that the delay in the implementation of the Firelink programme will affect the setting up of regional fire centres.

Baroness Andrews: Overall timescales for both projects will depend on the outcome of both projects' procurements and will reflect the successful suppliers' proposals. The FiReControl and Firelink project teams are working closely together as part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's resilience program to ensure that we achieve an integrated delivery. We expect to make an announcement on FiReControl shortly.

Legal Aid: Asylum and Immigration

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to each example of the adverse impact of the changes introduced in the public funding regime in April 2004, as stated in the report Justice Denied: Asylum and Immigration Legal Aid—A System in Crisis, published by the two charities Bail for Immigration Detainees and Asylum Aid.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The reforms introduced in April 2004 addressed serious concerns about increasing costs and poor quality work. They were designed to target resources on cases with merit and to drive up the quality of publicly funded legal services in the field of asylum and immigration. Since the changes were introduced the number of firms and organisations undertaking this work has fallen but during 2004–05 the net reduction was less than 10 per cent. This is in the context of a significant fall in asylum numbers from a peak of 84,000 to 32,000 in 2004–05.
	In most areas of the country there is an adequate number of suppliers and the Legal Services Commission (LSC) acts to ensure that any local gaps in supply are addressed as quickly as possible. The measures introduced last year are essential to achieve and maintain control of costs and the LSC has worked closely with suppliers to ensure that the procedures are as effective as possible. In 2004–05 89 per cent of applications from suppliers were dealt with by the LSC within one day and 97 per cent within two days. The merits test used by the LSC in determining applications is contained in the Funding Code approved by Parliament in 2000. Good quality law firms and advice agencies with a proven record of success are entitled to work to higher thresholds under devolved powers. The LSC is committed to ensuring the majority of suppliers obtain devolved powers status.

Armed Forces: Voting Arrangements

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements were made in 1975 to ensure that servicemen and women could vote in the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Economic Community.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: For the 1975 referendum there were special arrangements to allow service personnel and their spouses to vote. This was irrespective of whether they were registered to vote under the Representation of the People Act or not. Service personnel and spouses were able to vote at a polling station or by post, and earlier than was the case for other electors.

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Regarding the new Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, under what law the Northern Ireland Court Service identified, in a news release dated 14 June, the community background of the Commission's members as eight Protestants, five Catholics and one neither; who are the individuals; and whether a person who is born in Northern Ireland can be perceived as belonging to neither of the two dominant communities unless he or she belongs to a minority community.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: There are 13 members of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission. The members of the commission were invited to indicate their community background. The Court Service press release dated 14 June 2005 was based on the information provided by the members of the commission.

Bank of Scotland

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are responding to the request by Lord Laird on 24 May (Official Report, col. 410) for an official investigation of loans made by the Bank of Scotland, whether in Belfast or elsewhere.

Lord Rooker: The Government have not initiated an investigation of loans made by the Bank of Scotland. The direction of operations and investigations when criminal activity is suspected is a matter for the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Belfast: Funding of Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding has been offered to the annual West Belfast Festival in August; from what source; and for what purposes.

Lord Rooker: A total of £115,000 (including lottery funding of £25,000) has been offered to date to Féile an Phobail in 2005 as set out below:
	
		
			
			 Department Funding body Amount Purpose 
			 DCAL Arts Council of NI £90,000 Annual support for organisation's programme—contribution to salaries and artistic costs (year-round) 
			  Arts Council of NI (National Lottery Fund) £25,000 Audience Development—the Oscailt Project to encourage people with disabilities to participate fully in festival events 
			 Total  £115,000  
		
	
	Arts Council funding supports the activities of Féile an Phobail throughout the year: it is not possible to detail the exact sum provided for the August Féile (also known as the West Belfast Festival).

Belfast: Funding of Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funding has been offered to the annual Twelfth Celebrations in July; from what source; and for what purposes.

Lord Rooker: Funding of £33,657 is being provided for the annual Twelfth celebrations in July as set out below:
	
		
			 Department Funding Body Amount Purpose 
			 DCAL – £5,515 Better Twelfth Initiative—Belfast County Grand Lodge schools art competition 
			  – £22,650 Better Twelfth Initiative— 
			 co-ordinator 
			  Ulster-Scots Agency £250 Killegar Ulster-Scots Group—performance of concertina band at Kest and Rossnowlagh 
			   £242 Drum Accordion Band—Ulster-Scots element of annual event 15 July 2005 
			   £5,000 Portadown Cultural Society—Ulster-Scots element of festival 4 to 9 July and 12 July 2005 
			 Total  £33,657

Belfast: Funding of Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much funding was provided during 2004 to the annual West Belfast Festival and to the annual Belfast Twelfth Celebrations; from what source; and for what purpose.

Lord Rooker: A total of £254,024 (including National Lottery funding of £23,304) was provided during 2004 for Féile an Phobail as set out below:
	
		
			 Department Funding Body Amount Purpose 
			 DCAL Arts Council of NI £85,000 Annual support for organisation's programme—contribution to salaries and artistic costs (year-round) 
			  Arts Council of NI (National Lottery Fund) £23,304 Audience development—the Oscailt Project to encourage people with disabilities to participate fully in festival events 
			  NI Events Company £20,000 Capped shortfall funding provided by DCAL (year-round) 
			  Arts and Business £5,000 New Partners award to match business sponsorship of £15,000 
			  Foras na Gaeilge £3,000 Sponsorship of August Féile 
			 DSD Belfast Regeneration Office £102,720 Capped shortfall funding (year-round) 
			 DETI NI Tourist Board £15,000 Event Marketing Support Scheme—to support international marketing 
			 Total  £254,024  
		
	
	Much of the funding provided was to assist with the year-round programme and running costs of Féile an Phobail: it is not possible to provide a figure for the August Féile (also known as the West Belfast Festival) in isolation.
	As Foras na Gaeilge is funded 25 per cent by DCAL and 75 per cent by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the Republic of Ireland, only 25 per cent of its £12,000 grant has been recorded in the table above.
	No funding was provided for the annual Twelfth celebrations during 2004.

InterTradeIreland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether InterTradeIreland's recruitment advertisements have at all times met the statutory requirements in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: InterTradeIreland, the trade and business development body, has placed recruitment advertisements both for posts within the body and for external employment and training opportunities on its operational programmes. In placing these advertisements it has at all times met the statutory requirements in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Recruitment

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What claims have been made against each council in Northern Ireland by unsuccessful applicants for advertised posts in the years from 1997–98 to 2004–05; how many of these claims were settled out of court; how many succeeded in court; what were the respective total awards against each council in each of these years; and what were the related legal costs; and
	What claims have been made against each statutory body in Northern Ireland by unsuccessful applicants for advertised posts in the years from 1997–98 to 2004–05; how many of these claims were settled out of court; how many succeeded in court; what were the respective total awards against each statutory body in each of these years; and what were the related legal costs.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held centrally and, because of the period of time covered and the number of separate bodies involved, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Northern Ireland: Child Protection

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People is aware of any sexual or other exploitation of children in care by persons outside the control of the social services in the Armagh and Dungannon, the Sperrin Lakeland and the Foyle health trusts; and, if so, what action it has taken.

Lord Rooker: The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms:
	Letter from Mr Williams to Lord Maginnis
	I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Parliamentary Question.
	Two general concerns were raised with the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People regarding possible child prostitution involving children's homes in the Sperrin Lakeland and Foyle Trust. The commissioner took steps to ensure that these concerns were raised with the trust, the Health and Social Services Board and the PSNI.
	The commissioner wrote to every children's home in Northern Ireland to identify that the Sexual Offences Act "Risk of Sexual Harm Order" was a new legal resource to tackle this problem and to offer help and support if there was a problem with child prostitution. The commissioner has also proposed multi-agency training about the use of Risk of Sexual Harm Orders.
	In the Armagh and Dungannon area we were told about the possible prostitution of an individual young person who is being looked after by the local Trust. Although it was alleged that there was evidence of child prostitution that evidence was not passed to us, the trust or the PSNI. To address the specific concerns raised about the individual, the commissioner appointed an independent social worker to investigate the young person's care by the Trust. There has been no suggestion that the young person is currently being abused in this way and the report concluded that the care plans were both adequate and effective.
	The Commissioner has written to all the Area Child Protection Committees drawing their attention to the issue and suggesting multi-agency training to raise awareness and develop ways to tackle the problem. There has been a positive response to this which is currently being following up.
	The abuse of young people in care by those who target them for sexual exploitation is an issue the commissioner takes very seriously. The commissioner has raised the profile of this issue in the media and continues to work in partnership with the trusts, the PSNI and other voluntary children's bodies to find ways to promote this serious issue.

Northern Ireland: Child Protection

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People has inquired into the sexual or other exploitation of children in care by paramilitary groups in the Greater Belfast area; and, if so, what action it has taken.

Lord Rooker: The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body, and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms:
	Letter from Mr Williams to Lord Maginnis
	I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Parliamentary Question.
	The Commissioner for Children & Young People in Northern Ireland is aware that the PSNI continue to keep this issue under active review. The Commissioner's Office has not had inquiries into the involvement of paramilitary groups in child prostitution or other exploitation of children in the Greater Belfast Area. The Office will, in accordance with the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 investigate any specific allegation made in respect of this issue.

EU Food Supplements Directive

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they raised at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 2 and 3 June (a) the forthcoming ruling of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements directive, and (b) the need for amendments to this Directive to prevent safe and popular products from being lost from the United Kingdom market.

Lord Warner: Health Ministers did not raise the forthcoming ruling of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements Directive at the Health Council of 2 and 3 June, and did not discuss the food supplements directive at any stage. The Food Supplements Directive was not on the agenda for the Health Council.
	The ECJ ruling is now due on 12 July 2005. We have already made clear that this Government's aim has always been to ensure the safety of food supplements on sale and maintaining consumer choice, without imposing unnecessary burdens on business. If the directive needs to be revised, we would look forward to actively participating in that process.

EU Food Supplements Directive

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to meet again with food supplement manufacturers and consumers in advance of the final ruling in July of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements Directive; and
	Why the Food Standards Agency has adopted a policy of reaction, rather than proactive lobbying, in relation to the options for action on the part of the European Commission following the ruling of the European Court of Justice on the Food Supplements Directive; and
	Whether the recent statement by the Prime Minister to the Institute for Public Policy Research that the Food Supplements Directive is "wholly disproportionate" represents their policy; and, if so, what steps they are taking to influence the actions of the European Commission subsequent to the final ruling of the European Court of Justice on the directive.

Lord Warner: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has developed a range of options as part of its strategy in anticipation of the outcome of the ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The objectives of the United Kingdom for future regulation of food supplements are dependent on the ruling from the ECJ and this is why the FSA has adopted a policy of reaction rather than proactive lobbying.
	The ECJ ruling is now due on 12 July 2005. We have already made clear that this Government's aim has always been to ensure the safety of food supplements on sale and maintaining consumer choice, without imposing unnecessary burdens on business.
	Officials have spoken with the Commission and highlighted the views of stakeholders on the Food Supplements Directive and impending ruling from the ECJ. When we have the ruling, the Government will consider what further discussions with the European Commission are required.

Physiotherapists: Work-related Injuries

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many physiotherapists were absent from work for three months or longer because of work-related musculo-skeletal disorder; what steps are being taken to reduce long-term sick leave because of work-related musculo-skeletal injury; and how many physiotherapists are given the option of alternative duty programmes; and
	What they are doing to ensure that physiotherapy departments put in place effective strategies to prevent work-related injury, particularly musculo-skeletal injury.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health's survey of sickness rate in the National Health Service does not collect information broken down by staff group or reason for absence.
	The national "Back in Work" campaign launched in 2002 is aimed at reducing back and musculo-skeletal injuries to staff in the National Health Service. The campaign is targeted at all staff, from porters to physiotherapists. Guidance on safer lifting and handling techniques, and examples of good practice, including offering alternative work as part of rehabilitation of staff is available at www.nhs.uk/backinwork. "Back in Work" is supported by a number of partner organisations, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
	While physiotherapy departments are primarily concerned with providing a service to patients, physiotherapists may be providing a service to staff as part of local strategies on preventive measures to reduce sickness rates in their organisation.

Teachers: Recruitment and Retention

Lord Smith of Leigh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the latest figures on teacher recruitment and retention.

Lord Adonis: There were 431,700 full-time equivalent regular teachers employed in maintained schools in England in January 2005. This means they have reached their highest level since 1981.
	The total wastage of full-time teachers in the maintained schools sector dropped from a peak of 27,730 in 2000–01 to 26,940 in 2002–03. This is the latest year for which figures are available.

Citizenship Lessons

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that the national curriculum content of lessons and material on government, the constitution and Parliament in maintained secondary schools includes studies of United Kingdom membership of the European Union.

Lord Adonis: The national curriculum requires that pupils should be taught about the United Kingdom's relations in Europe, including the European Union and the wider issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility, as part of developing their knowledge, understanding and skills about democratic institutions and processes. The Qualifications Curriculum Authority has produced and circulated citizenship schemes of work to all schools to help them in planning and developing lessons on citizenship.

School Governors

Lord Skidelsky: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many vacancies there are for governors in England and Wales in (a) primary schools, and (b) secondary schools; and what were the equivalent figures in 2003 and 2004.

Lord Adonis: Figures for school governor vacancies are not collected centrally in England. A report on school governance in England commissioned by the department in 2003 indicated that the average vacancy rate at that time was around 12 per cent. The report did not distinguish between primary and secondary schools.
	The figures for Wales are as follows:
	
		
			  Primary Secondary 
			 January 2003 1,208 237 
			 January 2004 1,318 224 
		
	
	Figures for 2005 will be available in August.

Salmon

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What effect the Irish Republic's current policy on salmon drift net fishing is having on wild salmon stocks in British rivers; and what are the figures on wild salmon stocks in British rivers for each of the past 10 years.

Lord Bach: Tagging studies suggest that the Irish salmon drift net fishery takes less than 1 per cent of salmon returning to rivers in the north-east of England, but this proportion is greater for stocks in Wales and the west of England, possibly increasing to around 10 per cent for some rivers in the south and south-west.
	I refer the noble Lord to the Environment Agency's Fisheries Statistics 2003 in the Library of the House. A river-by-river breakdown of salmon catches in England and Wales 1993–2003 can be found in Table 11 (nets) and Table 13 (rods).
	The-river-by-river assessment of salmon stock status against conservation limits can be found in Table 19 on page 50 of the attached Annual Assessment of Salmon Stock & Fisheries report in England and Wales 2004 in the House of Lords Library. The aggregated catch statistics for England and Wales are given on page 25.
	For Northern Ireland, the wild salmon stock estimates for the past 10 years are:
	
		
			 Year  
			 1995 87,250 
			 1996 90,785 
			 1997 107,893 
			 1998 225,109 
			 1999 62,146 
			 2000 89,305 
			 2001 69,980 
			 2002 87,462 
			 2003 79,067 
			 2004 75,211 
		
	
	Source: ICES 2004
	In Northern Ireland (NI) the overall catch in the Foyle area has always been split 50:50 between NI salmon statistics for commercially caught salmon, and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) statistics. This is because the agency that compiles the statistics (The Loughs Agency), is a cross-Border body. Most commercial fishermen reside in RoI, and land the majority of the catch in RoI, whereas the majority of river catchments are in NI, but there are some in the RoI. The stock status figure is for all NI catchments and those in the RoI running into the Foyle and is recorded as NI stock status.
	For Scotland the wild salmon stock estimates for the past 10 years are
	
		Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Catches 1994–2003 -- Rod and Line (Released) WildNumber
		
			 Year Spring Summer Total Spring Salmon Summer Salmon Total Salmon Salmon and Grilse 
			 1994 54 5,007 5,061 1,534 6,595 
			 1995 895 7,953 8,848 3,303 12,151 
			 1996 853 7,278 8,131 2,282 10,413 
			 1997 543 7,613 8,156 2,809 10,965 
			 1998 813 7,718 8,531 4,933 13,464 
			 1999 1,691 9,301 10,992 3,854 14,846 
			 2000 1,758 11,938 13,696 7,376 21,072 
			 2001 3,362 14,976 18,338 9,386 27,724 
			 2002 2,231 13,579 15,810 8,248 24,058 
			 2003 2,391 17,559 19,950 9,210 29,160 
		
	
	It is possible to provide figures for the number of salmon caught per annum, whether retained or released. However that figure will only be a representation of the actual stocks and is likely to fluctuate due to fishing practices and demand. The migratory aspect of the species renders it very difficult to come up with accurate figures for the stocks at any one time.

Energy Consumption: Domestic Appliances in Standby Mode

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 3 March (WA 45) on power consumption by televisions, what other categories of appliance consume energy in standby mode; and how much energy they estimate is consumed in the United Kingdom each month by appliances in each of these categories in standby mode.

Lord Bach: A wide range of appliances, including televisions, consume energy while they are switched on but not in use, either in standby mode or simply waiting to be used.
	While we do not have detailed information available about all appliances that have a standby function, the Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) has information relating to the energy consumed in standby for those appliances that account for the large majority of energy consumed in UK households. The MTP broadly divides standby power consumption for appliances into the following categories:
	Consumer electronics (e.g. televisions, digital set-top boxes and video recording equipment)—approximately 420 Gwh per month;
	Home computing equipment (e.g. personal computers, printers and display screens)—approximately 25–40 GWh per month;
	Domestic cooking equipment (microwaves and electric ovens) approximately 70GWh per month; and
	Office Equipment (e.g. computing equipment, photocopiers and fax machines)—approximately 40–60 Gwh per month.
	There is also further energy consumption from white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers which are switched on awaiting use or after they have completed their wash cycles; consumer electronic equipment using external power supplies (e.g. domestic portable telephones) that continue to consume energy when plugged in but not in use; and domestic personal computer equipment where the stand-by facilities are not properly enabled. Taken together, these sources of consumption may bring the overall figure to around 760 GWh.

Energy Consumption: Domestic Appliances in Standby Mode

Baroness Perry of Southwark: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 3 March (WA 45), how much energy they estimate is consumed in the United Kingdom each month by all electrical appliances in standby mode.

Lord Bach: The most recent estimate by the Government's Market Transformation Programme (MTP) is that taken together consumer electronics, home computing equipment, domestic cooking equipment and office equipment in the UK consumed approximately 580–600 GWh per month while in standby mode.
	We are also aware that there is further energy consumption from white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers which are switched on awaiting use or after they have completed their wash cycles; consumer electronic equipment using external power supplies (e.g. domestic portable telephones) that continue to consume energy when plugged in but not in use; and domestic personal computer equipment where the stand-by facilities are not properly enabled. Taken together, these sources of consumption may bring the overall figure to around 760 GWh per month.
	In order to try to tackle this problem the Market Transformation Programme (www.mtprog.com) has been encouraging manufacturers to reduce both the "on" and the stand-by power consumption of household appliances through the adoption of design improvements, voluntary codes of conduct, and best practice guidelines and targets. This approach has been fairly successful in respect of televisions: an EU-wide voluntary agreement will mean that the majority of new televisions sold in the UK now consume around 1 watt of power in stand-by mode rather than the 3 to 8 watts consumed by older models. This agreement is currently being extended to cover other consumer electronics.
	A similar agreement for external power supplies aims to encourage new power supplies consuming around half a watt in stand-by mode compared to the present average of just over 2 watts.
	The recently agreed Framework Directive for the Eco-design of Energy Using Products (EUP), which is expected to come into force later this year, will provide a streamlined and effective route for setting EU-wide environmental requirements for traded goods. EUP requires the Commission and member states to treat the issue of standby energy consumption as a priority area for consideration. The UK will work proactively with the Commission and other member states to influence and speed the delivery of measures under EUP
	In addition, the Government's initiative on sustainable procurement, announced in the autumn of 2003, includes a requirement for government departments which purchase computers and televisions to specify low stand by power requirements.

Defra Helpline

Lord Plumb: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What training people receive who are employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to answer questions which farmers raise on their helpline.

Lord Bach: All Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) helpline staff complete an extensive six-week training period. During this training they receive instruction in telephone techniques and the use of computerised information systems and an extensive knowledge base including the Defra website.
	The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) customer service centre (CSC) training commences with 17-system training which covers the new customer register and customer relationship management system. This involves four days intensive training with several additional refresher courses.
	All helpline staff receive customer care and call handling skills. Further training is provided by workshops from the RPA's inspectorate, welfare officer, single payment scheme management unit, Rural Land Register management unit as well as the Farm Crisis Network to ensure that all helpline staff are fully briefed on current issues and rural stress.

Defra Helpline

Lord Plumb: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the cost of the helpline provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to answer questions raised by farmers.

Lord Bach: The Defra helpline answers telephone requests for information from farmers and other industry sectors as well as queries from the general public. In addition the helpline operators are occasionally requested to attend major agricultural shows representing Defra.
	The total operational costs for the Defra helpline for the period April 2004 to April 2005 was £247,862.23.
	The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) Single Payment Scheme (SPS) helpline was set up in July 2004 to respond to inquiries from farmers following the mailing of information statements. The cost of staffing this initial helpline was £163,431.
	On 14 February 2005 the RPA's customer service centre (CSC) came into operation and responsibility for handling calls relating to the SPS and customer registration transferred to the CSC with effect from that date.
	The cost of the CSC from 14 February 2005 to 31 May 2005 was £1,489,505. This reflected the significant volume of inquiries received during that period with over 200,000 calls and emails.

McKinsey and Co.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) whether McKinsey and Company Incorporated is currently carrying out any work for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs;
	(b) how many projects the firm has carried out for the department during each year in the past five years;
	(c) for each project, how long such work lasted and how many McKinsey and Company employees were involved;
	(d) what was the nature of the contracts with the company; and
	(e) what was the total value of payments made by the department to McKinsey and Company Incorporated in each of the past five years.

Lord Bach: From information held centrally:
	(a) McKinsey and Company Incorporated is not currently carrying out any work for Defra.
	(b) None.
	(c) There were no projects.
	(d) There were no contracts.
	(e) None.

McKinsey and Co.

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether McKinsey and Company is currently carrying out any work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; how many projects the firm has carried out for the department during each of the past five years; for each project, how long it lasted and how many McKinsey employees were involved; and what was the total value of payments made by the department to McKinsey and Company in each of the past five years.

Lord Triesman: McKinsey and Company has not carried out any projects for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the past five years, nor is currently doing so.

Convention on the Rights on the Child

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the worldwide implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol of May 2000 is satisfactory; and what new or enhanced measures they will advocate states and internet server companies to take to prevent the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

Lord Triesman: While the Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified of all the core human rights treaties, implementation remains varied. The UK has a number of concerns, which are reflected in the rights of the child resolutions which we sponsor with EU and Latin American partners at the UN General Assembly and Commission on Human Rights every year. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child considers implementation of the Convention and its Optional Protocols by States Parties. Its conclusions and recommendations, including on specific countries, can be found at www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/index.htm.
	The Government continue to talk to the internet industry about how best to use technology to block, reduce access to and remove exploitative images of children wherever possible, Less than 1 per cent of potentially illegal content reported to the Internet Watch Foundation is hosted by internet service providers in the UK. The UK also co-operates with other governments and supports their efforts to detect, prevent and punish on-line exploitation of children.

Iraq: Cultural Reconstruction

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in accordance with the undertaking they gave shortly after the invasion of Iraq to help with the cultural reconstruction of Iraq, they will now offer to develop a joint plan of co-operation training and investment with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage; and, if so, whether they will invite other European Union member states to support this programme during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Union.

Lord Triesman: The Government take very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. As United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 (June 2004) stressed, all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in regular contact with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, (Tessa Jowell), spoke to the former Iraqi Minister of Culture on 26 January and is kept closely informed of key cultural issues in Iraq.
	In early 2005 the Government funded a capacity-building visit to the UK by three Iraqi interns from Babylon. They received training on site management techniques and museology and were based at the British Museum. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport will give careful consideration to any further proposals designed to help the cultural reconstruction of Iraq.

European Court of Human Rights: Mr Ocalan

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have been informed about the conditions of imprisonment of Mr Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey; and whether they will ask the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture to re-examine his prison conditions and report on their impact on his physical and mental health.

Lord Triesman: On 12 June the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that in the case of Ocalan v Turkey the general conditions in which the applicant was being detained at Imrali Prison did not constitute inhuman or degrading treatment within the meaning of Article 3 of the ECHR, and consequently there was no violation of Article 3. The Council of Europe's Commission for Prevention of Torture (CPT) visited Ocalan on Imrali in February 2003 to assess his prison conditions and their report was published along with the Turkish Government's response in February 2004. We have discussed the CPT report and Turkey's response with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Embassy staff discuss Mr Ocalan's situation with his lawyers as developments arise. We do not intend to ask the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture to re-examine his prison conditions and report at this time.

Sudan: Darfur

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans are being developed to repatriate the displaced people of Darfur to their homes and to provide the necessary security for them to live in safety and without fear of molestation.

Lord Triesman: We have made clear to the government of Sudan (GoS) that all returns must be voluntary, and carried out in full accordance with the established international mechanisms.
	Improving the security situation is key if those who have been displaced are to return to their homes. We are pressing the GoS to ensure the safety of their civilians and to improve the security situation in Darfur, but the African Union (AU) mission also has a key role to play.
	We welcome the planned expansion of the AU mission to over 7,700 personnel and have allocated £19 million in support of this. Where AU troops are deployed, they have helped to create the necessary conditions for some internally displaced persons returns. For example, in Labado and Khor Abeche the AU presence has, according to the UN, enabled 15,000 and 4,500 people respectively to return to their homes. The additional troops will enable the AU to provide greater geographical coverage in Darfur, and a more permanent presence in areas where it is already deployed.

Crossrail: Funding

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the currently committed funding for the Crossrail project; and what is the estimated funding requirement for completion of the Crossrail Bill.

Lord Davies of Oldham: £154 million was allocated to the Crossrail project in 2001. In April 2005, £48 million of this initial funding remained. We are currently considering with Transport for London the extent to which the project requires additional funding during the passage of the Crossrail Bill.